We have been loving our Talalay latex mattress from Arizona Mattress. Here are the details of our configuration:
6"core is 32-33 ILD Medium
2" topper is 22 ILD Soft
3" topper is 19 ILD Soft
We have them in that order from firmest to softest on top. The mattress accidentally shipped with an 8" case and a 3" topper cover, we slept on it for awhile but the topper kept sliding off so we requested an 11" case (what we originally ordered) to fix this. Now we’re finding it to be significantly firmer. We’re exchanging our core for a softer option and look forward to seeing how that works but I’m wondering if a single case can ever achieve what a case + topper can. It seems like the overall tightness of the case restricts the give that the latex has. The difference was most noticeable when we laid on the unzipped case after switching layers around and then laying on it again zipped up.
Final question: would using a bigger case and giving the latex room to spread be an option? Would this damage the latex?
A separate topper can “act” a little more independently and “feel” a little softer compared to having the same layer inside the cover (see posts #3 and #4 here and the first page of posts in this topic.
Latex is very heavy and it doesn’t tend to shift especially when it is underneath a fitted mattress protector and your sheets and bedding which will also help to keep it in place so your experience with your latex topper shifting is somewhat unusual.
It would have “some effect” on the response of the latex and It wouldn’t damage the latex but it could lead to lead to the cover wrinkling, shifting, or bunching which may be uncomfortable to some people.
Some of the difference in firmness and feel could also be from the topper having a stretch knit cover while the cover on the mattress is quilted with wool which can improve temperature regulation but can also reduce the ability of the top layer of latex to contour to the shape of your body as effectively and can lead to a slightly firmer feel (see post #6 here about quilted covers vs wool quilted covers)